THESHORT-BEAKEDCOMMONDOLPHIN

THE SHORT-BEAKED COMMON DOLPHIN (Tursiops truncatus) is of medium size and has a dark and prominent dorsal fin.

It is a very active dolphin which often peaks up out of the water showing its forehead. Adult lengths vary from 2 to 3.8 m and can weight anywhere from 220 to 500 kg. The female short-beaked dolphin reaches sexual maturity at about 9 years of age, while the males do so at 11 years of age. After a gestation period of almost 12 months, newborns emerge from their mothers measuring 1 meter and weighing about 11 kg. They will drink their mother’s milk for up to 18 months.